Wellington, FL - January 27 - History repeated itself on Thursday afternoon at the 2005 Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, Florida.

For the second straight year, Athens Olympic Silver Medalist McLain Ward aboard Double H Farm's Goldika 559 emerged victorious in Round One of the $25,000 WEF Challenge Cup Series.

The nine week long series of Thursday Grand Prix events is one of the major money qualifiers for the WEF finale, the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Today, 63 starters negotiated the first round course designed by Javier Fernandez of Mexico.

Twelve horse and rider combinations survived the first round challenge to advance to the timed jump-off tiebreaker. Twelve additional riders jumped the course without jumping penalties, but a snug time allowed caused ten to pick up a single time fault for their efforts. Two other riders added two time faults to their first round clears.

In the jump-off Schuyler Riley and Opus Sept from the South Beach Stables led off with 4 faults for her one knockdown performance, crossing the finish line in 44.83 seconds.

Michael Morrissey and Eugene R. Mische's Gera 28 followed and pulled two rails in the tiebreaker, scoring 8 faults in 43.58 seconds.

Laura Kraut, who qualified all three of her mounts for the timed encounter, produced the first jump-off clear with Joyous, owned by the Summit Partners. Kraut was clear in 43.82 seconds to set the pace.

Lauren Hough, aboard the Casadora Group's Casadora, immediately grabbed the lead from Kraut, touring the course fault free and breaking the beams in 41.52 seconds.

Millcreek's Marco Taere, owned by the Millcreek Stables and ridden by Yann Candele, produced the third jump-off clear in a row. However, they settled into second place behind Hough and Casadora with a time of 42.16 seconds.

Joe Fargis was next with Edgar, owned by Mary B. Schwab. Fargis became the fourth in a row to ride the tiebreaker without penalty, crossing the finish line in 43.82 seconds, placing him in a dead heat with Joyous and Laura Kraut.

Molly Ashe and Full Cry Farm's Naomi moved into the International Arena and produced a stunning ride, but knocked down the final fence on the jump-off course. Ashe finished with 4 faults in 41.59 seconds.

Kraut then returned on her second mount for the tiebreaker, Milona, owned by Peter Wetherill and Happy Hill Farm. Kraut had the crowd on their feet as she flew around the short course, lighting up the scoreboard with a new top time of 41.24 seconds, 2/10ths of a second better than Hough.

The crowd never had a chance to sit down as Kraut's top time was erased by the very next in the ring, Cara Raether and News, owned by Trelawny Farm. Raether pulled out all the stops and flat out flew to the lead with a clear round in 41.08 seconds. She was at the top of the leader board with just three to go.

Laura Kraut last chance would be with Miss Independent from the Pasmore Stables. With an early rail in the jump off, Kraut cruised home with a final score of 8 faults in 44.79 seconds.

Todd Minikus galloped in on Harry Gill's Viktor as the next to last in the jump-off. Minikus brought the sitting crowd to their feet once again as he smoked the course. He had tight turns and a flat out gallop but the last fence came down. The scoreboard reflected the bad news that Minikus had the time, but had the rail, as well. He finished with 4 faults in 40.83 seconds.

McLain Ward and Goldika 559 were the last challengers. Ward cranked it up from the start, made some amazing cuts and let a very fast horse do her thing. Ward flew to the finish with a clean round in 40.62 seconds for the win, their second year in a row in the winners circle. "I was very fast to the double and made a very good cut back to the blue vertical, but the bottom line is, she's just a very fast horse," Ward said.

"In the first round we had to knock the rust off a bit," Ward joked. "But then she felt in perfect form in the jump-off. That's her forte. She's so fast and so careful and I was just thrilled with her today," he said.

Having the last spot in the jump-off doesn't matter to Ward. "When there are ten or twelve clean you know that they're going to be fast and some are going to be clear and fast, so you just go in and ride your round," explained Ward.

Asked about his string of three top mares, Ward said they're all different.

"My three mares all have different personalities," said Ward. "Goldika has all the heart in the world but she's really a hot headed woman. Quickstar is kind of a slow, laid back hippie and Sapphire just knows she's better than everybody," Ward said laughing.

Official Results - $25,000 Wef Challenge Cup Series Round 1 Csi** Fei Art 238.2.2 Entries = 63 Level Nat

Molly Ashe and King Louie Take Two in a Row in the $7500 1.45m

Molly Ashe, on fire with a first and a second place finish on opening day, continued her hot streak and made it two in a row with King Louie in the 1.45m Jumpers (II2b) at the Internationale Arena. King Louie, owned by Rosewood Glen, Ltd., was one of only two double clear rides out of the thirty three entered in the Thursday morning feature.

Ashe's jump-off time of 34.764 was 4/10ths of a second better than second place finisher, Jimmy Torano and Aguila, owned by Sir Ruly, Inc. Torano crossed the finish line in 35.209.

Finishing third was Hyde Moffatt and Ting Tin, owned by Hawkestone Farms. Moffat accumulated one time fault in the jump-off. Fourth went to Carousel, owned by Mary B. Schwab and ridden by Ramiro Quintana with 4 faults in 35.323.

Official Results - #1003 $7500 1.45m Jumpers, II 2b, 1-27-05 - Internationale Arena

Paige Johnson and Landria W. Gallop to Victory in the High A/O Jumpers

In the first class for the High Amateur Owner Jumpers (II2b), it was Paige Johnson and Landria W coming home victorious with a double clear performance and a jump-off time of 37.862. She topped a field of 22 for the win and was thrilled to be back in action with Landria W. "Last time I showed her was at Harrisburg and she wasn't real good there, she was a little spooky and a little tired," Johnson explained. "I had shown her in Europe all summer, so she was ready for a rest. So, this is my first class back since October and I was a little nervous out there, but she was excellent today," she said. Johnson also praised course designer, Javier Fernandez. "I thought the course was a perfect course for the first day; not too hard, not too easy. He did a really nice job," said Johnson.

Georgina Bloomberg finished second with Action, posting two clear riding efforts and crossing the finish line in 38.197 seconds, just 3/10ths of a second off the winning pace. Paige Johnson produced the only other double clear effort with Kadena R to finish in third place in 39.699 seconds. Gaby Slome and Salsa picked up two time faults in the jump-off to finish fourth.

Official Results - #1028H-A/O Jumpers, Table II sec 2(b) -1/27/05- International Arena

2005 Winter Equestrian Festival Fast Facts

EVENT: Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida

WHAT: Seven-week hunter/jumper and 3-week dressage horse show circuit produced by Stadium Jumping, Inc.

WHERE: Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club,

14440 Pierson Rd., Wellington, Florida 33414

WHEN: Wednesday through Sunday 2005 Show Dates:

Jan. 26-30: Nutrena/Western Hay Wellington Classic, CSI 2*, 'AA'
Feb 2-6: Bayer Gold Coast Jumper Classic, CSI 3*
Feb 3-6: Wellington Dressage
Feb 9-13: Kilkenny/ICH Internationale, CSI 3*, 'AA'
Feb 16-20: Lincoln Florida Classic/WCHR Spectacular presented by Palm n Beach Post, CSI-W/Y/Ch, 'AA-WCHRA'
Feb 17-20: Zada Enterprises, LLC Florida Dressage Classic
Feb 23-27: Zada Enterprises, LLC Wellington Masters, CSI 3*, 'AA'
March 2-6: Cosequin Wellington Open, CSI-W, 'AA'
March 9-13: CN Finale, CSIO-US 4*, 'AA'
March 17-20: Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic, CDI 3*/Y

HOURS: Wednesday through Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to approximately 4:00 p.m.

ADMISSION: General Admission Tickets are available at the gate.

Wednesday: Admission is free. *Children 12 &Under Free Everyday
Thursday and Friday: Adults- $5.00, Seniors (65)/Children Over 12 - $5.00
Saturday: Adults- $10.00, Seniors (65)/Children Over 12- $5.00
Sunday: Adults- $15.00, Seniors (65)/Children Over 12 - $5.00
Weekly General Admission Pass- $30.00
Seasonal General Admission Pass- $125.00

VIP SEATING: Box Seats Tickets may be purchased at the gate. (Limited availability)

Location: Internationale Arena
Thursday and Friday: $15.00
Saturday: $20.00
Sunday: $30.00
Seasonal Reserved Box Seats- $250.00 per seat

VIP Tables in The Jockey Club (located at the International Arena) are available for purchase through Phelps Media Group, Inc. Please call 561-753-3389.

PARKING: Parking is free Wednesday through Sunday

DIRECTIONS: Approaching the show grounds from the Florida Turnpike, take Exit #93, Lake Worth Blvd., and travel west, crossing over 441. Travel five miles to South Shore Blvd., turn right on South Shore and proceed one mile to Pierson Road, then turn left at the light. Spectator Entrance is first left, on Equestrian Road. Approaching the show grounds from Interstate I-95, take Exit 49. Travel west on Forest Hill Blvd. 11 miles to South Shore Blvd. Turn left on South Shore and follow to Pierson Road. Turn right at the light on Pierson. Spectator Entrance is first left - Equestrian Road.

THE FACILITY: The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club is the home of the Winter Equestrian Festival and the site of the first outdoor Nations Cup held in the United States. The competition areas include the 400' x 400' grass Internationale Arena, which is surrounded by bermed seating, chalets, and VIP areas; plus the Bertalan DeNemethy Arena and Grand Hunter Field, both with all weather footing. Amenities include The Jockey Club VIP area.

PRIZE MONEY: Over $3 Million in total prize money, including:
* $1 Million Grand Prix Series
* $450,000 1.50 M-1.30M Jumper Series
* $300,000 Amateur-Owner Jumper Series
* $100,000 Senior Jumper Series
* $395,000 USEF 'AA' Hunter Section Series
* $200,000 Junior Jumper Series
* $168,000 Adult Amateur Jumper Series
* $32,000 Children's Jumper Series
* $9,500 Pony Jumper Series

HIGHLIGHTS:

* Sunday, Jan 30, 2:00 p.m.: $35,000 Farr XTN Grand Prix of Palm Beach presented by Western Hay, CSI 2*
* Saturday, Feb 5: $25,000 Windsome Dressage/Show Jumping Spectacular
* Sunday, Feb 6, 2:00 p.m.: $50,000 Bayer Wellington Cup, CSI 3*
* Sunday, Feb 13, 2:00 p.m.: $50,000 Kilkenny/ICH Internationale Cup, CSI 3*
* Saturday, Feb 19, 7:00 p.m.: AHJF Hunter Spectacular of Palm Beach
* Sunday, Feb 20, 9:00 a.m.: $10,000 WEF Individual Young Rider Team and Individual Competition, CSI/Y Final
* Sunday, Feb 20, 2:00 p.m.: $60,000 Lincoln Idle Dice Classic presented by Palm Beach Post, CSI-W
* Friday, Feb 25, 7:00 p.m.: $15,000 Solaray Junior Jumper Gambler's Choice
* Sunday, Feb 27, 2:00pm: $75,000 Zada Enterprises,LLC Masters Cup, CSI 3*
* Friday, March 4, 7:00 p.m.: $15,000 Solaray Amateur-Owner Jumper Gambler's Choice
* Sunday, March 6, 2:00 pm:$75,000 Cosequin Florida Open Grand Prix, CSI-W
* Friday, March 11, 7:00 p.m.: $50,000 Samsung Nations Cup CSIO 4* presented by CN
* Sunday, March 13, 2:00 p.m.: $100,000 US Open Jumper
Championship CSIO 4* presented by CN

FOOD: A diverse menu of food and beverages is available at the vendor courtyard and at vendors around the Internationale Arena, and are open during show hours.

SHOPPING: The vendor courtyard and individual booths around the Internationale Arena both offer equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry, and home furnishings.

ECONOMIC IMPACT: The Winter Equestrian Festival, produced by Eugene R. Mische and Stadium Jumping, Inc., is the largest and longest consecutively running sporting event in the world. It is also the largest equestrian event and major contributor to Palm Beach County's $553+ million equestrian industry. (Courtesy of Palm Beach County Equestrian Commission, Inc.)

PALM BEACH POLO EQUESTRIAN CLUB: 14440 Pierson Rd., Wellington, FL, 33414; Tel: 561-793-JUMP; Fax: 561-753-7727; Website: www.stadiumjumping.com

STADIUM JUMPING, INC.: Corporate Office- 1301 Sixth Ave West, Suite 406, Bradenton, FL, 34205; Tel: 941-744-5465; Fax: 941-744-0874; Website: www.stadiumjumping.com